Transom-operating mechanism



Aug. 28, 1923.

O. A. SMITH ET AL TRANSOM OPERATING MECHANISM Filed June 24 1921 2 Sheets-Sheet l Snueutozs: O. A. Sm i +11 I GI]. Le 5-2 7 Aug. 28, 1923.

O. A. SMITH ET AL TRANSOM OPERATING MECHANISM Filed June '24 1921 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Aug. 28, 1923.

UNITED STATES 1,465,953 PATENT OFFICE.

osoAnAUGUs'r smrrn, ornnsr CLEVELAND, AND cnonsn J. rinnnnjor CLEVELAND,

' TRANSOM-OPERATING MECHANISM.

Application filed June 24, 1921. Serial No. 480,010.

T 0 all 'tU/iOflt it may concern:

'Be it known that we, OSCAR A. SMITH and Gnouun J. Lsunn, citizens of the United States, said SMITH residing at East Cleveland, county of (fuyahoga', and State of Ohio, and said Lncnn residing at lcveland, in the county of Cuyahoga and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in 'lransomOperating Mechanism, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to transom operating mechanism, an object thereof being to provide an improved mechanism for raising and lowering transoms, such as roof sections of factory buildings, the mechanism being particularly adapted for the purpose of operating with a minimum of power relatively heavy transoms and at the same time permitting such peration without any torsion or weaving of the operating ele ments. The present improved apparatus is so constructed as to efficiently distribute the lifting power over the entire transom and to provide eilicient leverage and the proper flexibility in operation. Thus, the purpose of the present invention is to provide an improved transom operating mechanism which will be eflicient and effective, relatively easy to operate, inexpensive to construct and install, and. durable and serviceable in use. i 1

Other objects of this invention will appear in the following description thereof, reference being bad to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, wherein like reference characters indicate corresponding parts in the several views and wherein Fig. 1 is aview illustrating an installation of our improved mechanism in a preferred form thereof; Fig. 2 is an end view illustrating certain of the operating parts; Fig. 3 is a side elevation illustrating the mechanism for operatr ing the shaft; Fig. 4 is an end view of the mechanism shown in Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is a fragmentary plan view illustrating the improved shaft construction; Fig. 6 is a side view partly-in section of the mechanism shown in Fig.

5; Fig. '7 is an end View thereof; Fig. 8 is a fragmentary perspective view illus trating the operating links; and Fig. 9 is a plan View partly in section illustrating r the construction of Fig. 8.

This invention is an improvement over our co-pending application for transom operating mcchanisnn'Serial No. 430,798, filed December 14:, 1920. In that invention we provided a continuous operating shaft supported by the framework substantially parallel to the transom and a swinging lifting screw supported directlyupon the shaft.

. In the present improvement however, the operating shaft is'formed preferably of a plurality of sections and the lifting screw iscarried by a short shaft section supported directly upon the framework, and as a result of this construction, the lifting strain is carried directly by the framework instead of by the long shaft. Also, in the above referred to application, a pair of lifting links were provided, which were pivoted to the sides of a nut shiftable upon the lifting screw. It has been found in practice however, that at times in operating the mechanism a cramping action occurred between the nut and the lifting screw -that is to say, there was at times a tendency of the nut to become somewhat cramped upon the lifting screw due to the fact that the lifting links tended to oscillate or swing the nut during its movement.

In order to obviate this, the inner ends of the lifting or operating links in the present invention have a common pivot on the shiftable lifting nut, the axis of this pivot passing through the central longitudinal axis of the lifting screw. Thus, in operation the path of movement of the single pivotal connection of the operating links to the lifting nut will coincide with the longitudinal axis of the lifting screw, thereby. preventing any cramping action.

With reference to the drawings wherein we have illustrated a preferred embodiment of our invention, the roof section 10, having suitable supporting framework 11, is providcd with a swinging or tilting transom 12 hinged in any suitable manner at 13 to the framework. The operating means for transmitting power to the lifting mechanism comprises a lengthwise extending shaft, which in theprescnt instance consists of main shaft sections 15' upported in bearings 14 in the framework endshort shaft sections 19 connected thereto, the latter being directly supported by the framework and adapted to support the lifting mechanisms independently of the main shaft sections 15,

In F i 1 we have illustrated three lifting mec anisins for the darensom 12, each being substantially similar in construction and hence a description of one thereo would sufiice.

Supporting bearing members 17 secured, as at 17 to the frame member 15, are provided, and a forked bracket 18 is journaled in the free end of the member 17 for swinging movement. The short shaft 19 is rotatably carried in bearing members formed by the forked bracket 18, end is connected to the adjacent main shaft sections 15 by means of plugs 29, which are crotched as at 21, to tit over the projecting ends of the shaft 19, the same bein securedthereto by means of pins 22. gear 23 is secured for rotation to the shaft 19 and a. cooperating gear 24 carried in bearings'25 by the bracket 18 is secured to a depending operating or lifting screw 26. The lifting linlm 27 and 28 are each formed of a pair of spaced members, the same being secured together in spaced relation by means of spacer collars 29* and holtsr29. The operatimg link '27 is pivoted at 30 to the frame work and the linEk 28 is pivoted at 31 to a bracket 32 carried'by thehinged transom 12.

Threaded to the-lifting screw 26 for shiftehlo movement thereover is a lifting nut 33 provided with pin ends 34 adapted to form pivots for the inner ends of the lifting links 27 and 28. It will be seen that the spar-ed members forming these links embrace and overlap the lifting nut 33 at the opposed sides thereof and the pins 34 form a common pivot therefor. A hole 35 is tapped in the nut 33 for cooperating with the threads of the lifted screw 26. As a pie autionury measure in order to limit the movement of the nut upon the lifting screw 26, a stop 36 is secured thereto adjaccnt to its free end.

For the purposes of operating the shaft 15 a stub shaft 37 is carried in suitable bearings 10 in the framework 151' and is connected to the shaft 15, in the present instance by means of a plug having a forked end 38 fitting over the'shaft37 and secured thereto by means of a pin 39. A gear 41 is carried by the shaft 37 and cooperates With the gear 42lcarried by a shaft 13 carried by the bearings 46 of the framewok. An operating wheel or sprocket tiis mounted on the outer end of the shait 43,:and a chain is passed thee'eo-ver for :the purposes of operating the same. Secured-teem frame bearing d0 are a pair of depending guide members 46 having guides 47 :at their free ends through which the chain 455 operates.

.111 operation, it will be seen that by manipulating the chain 45V to rotate the wheel 44 in one diaectiOIl, the shafts 15 and 19 will .be rotated, thereby rotating by means of the gears 2-3 and 2% the operating each member or link 27 is given a swin ing or sidewise movement due to its hxed pivotal connection 30 at its outer end. A swinging movement in a planetary d1rec 'tion will thus *he imparted to the lifting screw 26 as illustrated in Fig. 2 from the dotted to the full line position, and during this operation the link 28 Will be bodily shifted in a combined endwise and upward direction, thus elevating the transom 12. By rotating the wheel 44 in the opposite dircction, the reverse movement will take place and the transom 12 will be lowered to its closed position as illustrated in dotted lines in Fig. 2. It will thus be seen that the operating links 27 and 28 have a single or common pivot on the shiftablc lifting not 33, the axis of this pivot passing through the central .longitudinal'axis of the screw. As a result, upon shifting the nut longitudinally of the lifting screw 26, this single pivot will have a path of movement coincident with the longitudinal axis of the screw, thereby permitting a positive smooth operation of the parts and eliminating any tendency of the links 27 and 28 to oscillate or swing the nut thereby causing the same to be cramped upon the screw 26. Furthermore the lifting mechanism carried by the bracket 18 is supported by the bearings of the bracket 18 which are housed in the bracket bearings 17 independently of the main shaft section 15 and the short shaft 19, thereby taking the entire Weight or strain of the transom when operating same. Hence there is no weightor strain whatso ever placed upon the operating shafts.

Although we have described oer invention in its preferred form, it is to be understood that We do not limit ourselves to the construction herein shown and described, except insofar as defined in the claims and. embraced in the scope thereof.

We claim as our invention:

1. In a transom operating mechanism, the combination of a transom, mechanism for moving said transom, and means for operating said mechanism and comprising a pair of elined rotatable shaft sections connected together, eaidlmechanism inclndig' erotary screw operatieel-y connected to said sections andsupported independently thereon 2. In a tnansomopenating mechanism, the combination of a transom, mechanism for moving said transom, andinieans for operatin said mechanism and comprising a pair of .alined rotatable shaft sections connected together, said mechanism including :a rotary screw opejratiarely connected to one of said sections and suspended independently thereof.

3. In a transom operating mechanism, the combination of a transom, mechanism for moving said transom, nd means for operating said mechanism and comprisin a rotatable shaft section, and a relative ylonger alined shaft section connected thereto, said mechanism including a rotary screw operated by said short shaft section and independently of supported.

4-. In a transom operating mechanism, the combination of supporting means, a transom, mechanism for moving said transom, and operating means therefor comprising a plurality of alined rotatable shaftsections independentlysupported by said supporting means, said mechanism bein operatively connected to one of said sections and supported independently of another.

5. In a transom operating mechanism, the

combination of a transom, mechanism for moving said transom, and means for operat ing said mechanism and comprising a pair of alined rotatable shaft sections connected together, said mechanism including a swingingly supported rotary screw operated by one of said sections and supported inde pendently of the other. 6. The combination of a swinging transom, simultaneously operative transom operating means including an operating shaft and a plurality of swingably mounted rotary screws operatively connected to the shaft but supported independently thereof, and means for operating the shaft.

7. The combination of simultaneously operative transom operating means including shaft means, a plurality of rotary screws adapted to be operated from said shaft means but supported independently thereof and also including means connected to each screw for moving the transom, and means for operating said transom operating means.

8. The combination of a plurality of swinging transoms, an operating shaft supported adjacent thereto, a plurality of swingably mounted rotary screws for the transoms operatively connected to the shaft but supported independently thereof, mechanism connected to said screws for opening and closing said transoms, and means for operating said shaft and said screws simultaneously.

9. The combination of a plurality of transoms, an operating shaft supported adjacent thereto, a plurality of rotary screws for the transoms operatively connected to the shaft but supported independently thereof, toggle mechanism connected to said screws for opening and closing said transoms, and means for operating said shaft and said screws simultaneously.

10. In a transom operating mechanism, the combination of a transom. mechanism connected thereto for swinging the same and comprising swingingly supported means,

and a shaft operatively connected to said last means for operating said mechanism, said mechanism including a pair of operatinglinks having a common pivotal connection with said swingingly supported means.

i 11.; The combination of simultaneously operative transom operating means including shaft means and a plurality of rotary screws 'connected thereto but supported independently thereof and links operatively connected to said screws, and means for operating said shaft means, certain of said links having a common pivotal connection with a rotary screw. 4

12. In a transom operating mechanism, the combination of a transom, swingingly supported means pivoted at one end and free at its opposite end, a link pivoted to said transom and a link pivoted to'a fixed support, said links having a common pivotal connection with'said swingingly supported means, and means for operating said swinging means to swing said transom and comprising a rotatable shaft connected to said swinging means.

'13. Ina transom operating mechanism, the combination of a transom, an operating shaft, means supported at one end for swing ing movementabout the axis of said shaft, a link'pivoted to said transom and a link pivoted to a fixed support, said links havin common pivotal connection with saiil swingingly supported means, and means for, operating said swinging means to shift said pivotal connection in a plane substantially coincident'with the central longitudinal axis of said swingingly supported means.

14;Ina transom operating mechanism, the combination of a transom, swingingly supported means pivoted at one end and free at its opposite end, a link pivoted to said transom and a link pivoted to a fixed support, said links having a common pivotal connected with said swingingly supported means, and means for operating said swinging means to swing said transom and comprising a pair of alined shaft sections, said swingingly supported means being supported independently thereof.

15. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of a transom, a rotary screw, a nut shiftably carried thereby, a. plurality of links having a common pivotal connection with said nut, and a rotatable shaft operatively connected to said screw for rotating the same to shift said nut thereby operating the transom.

16. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of a support, a transom connected thereto. a swingingly supported screw. a nut shiftahly carried thereby, a. plurality of links having a common pivotal connection with said nut. and a rotatable shaft for rotating said screw to shift said nut thereby to operate the transom, said hong supp irtgd upon-(moot snidshmit sections directly from said support.

18L An anpflmtns for opomtin tnansoms comprising in combination 3. plunality Qfs transams rotary o erating means mount,- odi adjacent; thereto a awjingingly-snppotted' sqmw {or eanthtransom and openaitiively con,- Qih nmmd otho irntarymeans, mechanism Q- m nnow-51th: said. screws ion op ningc oning uhe-tmnmms and meansnominating saith rotary; moans: all ofi sa idi s o sbe ng meme d: iniclopendemtlyv of the rotary means.

L An. mppamtms for opemhi'ng tramsams ogmpnising in combination a transom, a swingingly supported screw, a, nut shiftably ca-rzind thereby, a swinging link pivoted'bo Imfig d qlomont, and mu onclwise movableliink pimtled tosairl tranoom, snid; linkshaving a common connection with said nut, and means for rotating said= sorewtoshift said; min and: transom, said link oompriising spayed! mfimbens adapted} to ovorlap said nut; amil: said} scww having in stop/ v for limiting the movfiwh 0%, said nut;

2941MB- aippflaanus for Qponating tnansoms ompnising in combinntsion; a plu a ity of tnansoms, minty means; mo n d adi oont thereto and, compr sing, a plunality of, sub st antially a lined. in omonn cted shaft sections; it sivingingb sup-ported screw foneagh; transom and. operatiiveliy connected ach 0 :1- shaft: sect-ion, mechanism c0-acting with SQldSCI'BW for-opening and. closing the transorns. and means for rotating said rotary means; of; said; screws being supp rt indopandently ofr h ir; respective sha t tionis. i: i

Am oppanatno for; operating a soms Q np-iising in cqmhination av transom; a wingingliy mpw mdscre iii-{nut shiftably canrieal; Qheasehy a swinging link pivoted to =1 fiiifi l kmfintb an ian ml i fi mwablolillk pivoted to soid tna ngom, snidlinks; having a, common connection with said nut, means for rotati g said Screw to shift said nut and transom said means. comprising a plurality of alined interconnected shaft sections independently supported, and an operazting wheel, said swingingly supported screw being connected to one of said shaft sections and supported directly from the framework 22. In a transom operating mechanism tho combinahon f a transom, an, open ing shaft, a: notaryz w inging screw geared to said shnftand ou gpontoclz indopondently thereof, mechanism eon-neotecl to said screw for openin and closing the: tnansom, and means for. ota ing th ,s m ifii Signed at Clovqlaaid. Qvcyohoga Count-y, Ohio; this-th day of Jame, 192A.

OSGAR AUGUST SMITH. GEORGE J. LEBER. 

